Any advice on how to keep artists and bands focused on long projects? I find members of the group will want to shift gears and direction often and it usually results in indecision and much indigestion.

Hi JR
Good question !
Don't do long projects! There's always indecisions and gear shifting. I try not to spend more than two weeks in any studio without then taking few days/week off. After two weeks things can slow right down. If you must work 7 days a week cos of scheduling, try breaking Saturday at 6pm til 8pm Sunday. You find you get a lot of work done Saturday afternoon and by 8pm after dinner Sunday everyone's up for it again with renewed energy.
Send band members away when not needed. Do sports. Go out see other bands playing while recording. Change working hours....get up early, start at 9am, sometimes. Take break before mixing,
Cheers
JL